Several hours later, Hu Changchun returned to the private room with the [Gale Sword], his face glowing with delight. Clearly, he was immensely satisfied with the Emperor Artifact he had just acquired. As he left, he repeatedly thanked Lin Yi, every word filled with respect for "Master Lin," with none of his earlier disdain remaining.
Meanwhile, Lin Yi's Storage Space now held the remaining payment of 1.05 million Void Crystal Coins, along with eight strands of Heavenly Essence Condensate glowing with different spiritual lights, quietly resting inside a velvet box.
It turned out that, due to the strict control over outsiders during the third trial, even Academy elders and stewards had to go through layers of approval before boarding the World Annihilation Spirit Boat. Ordinary supplies were even harder to deliver in time.
These eight strands of essence were brought along when he accepted a "supply delivery" task on the Trade Network.
When Hu Changchun learned that Lin Yi had purchased these eight strands of essence for artifact forging, he was initially quite surprised. After all, Heavenly Essence Condensate was rarely used alone as the primary material for Emperor Artifacts.
Though he was curious, he wisely did not press further. Instead, he became even more convinced that Lin Yi must be the disciple of some reclusive artifact-forging master. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to possess such attainments and resources.
After Hu Changchun left in complete satisfaction, Lin Yi took the eight strands of Heavenly Essence Condensate back to the past and began modifying the Primordial Shield in the artifact-forging Fire Room.
He had previously embedded one strand of Heavenly Essence Condensate into the Primordial Shield, successfully activating its first Innate Restriction, "Heaviness." Now, familiar with the process, he took out the eight newly acquired strands and